Feminism( You pls.pick I do not have time, whatever is easiest to earn an A+) - Essay Example

Comparing Contrasting Between Feminist Theorists C.P. Gilman on Socialist Feminism and E. Willis on Radical FeminismFeminist theorists have, as it occurs heretofore, theorized according to the structure or characteristics of the societies of their period which may be analyzed to have chiefly shaped women’s roles, nature, as well as the ways by which women are treated or judged. In order to address women’s issues in a number of aspects that seem highly affected by the prevailing sexist order, both the radical and the socialist perspectives in feminism emerged to create a sphere of thought where understanding and defense of women’s rights may take refuge.

While Charlotte Perkins Gilman proved active in promoting her advocacy on socialist feminism during the late 19th century, Ellen Willis took her stance on radical feminism in the late 60s of the mid-20th century. In general, socialist feminists view that the inferior status which a woman possesses within her society is a consequence of the class-based capitalism. They primarily argue that there ought to be equal opportunities for women in the public domain whereas the domestic role of women within the private domain must be significantly recognized.

Through the life and works of feminist theorist C.P. Gilman, a woman’s situation herein reflects one that is critically assessed by the economy so that no matter how a woman fares with some degree of excellence in fields other than what is signified within an economic realm, it would be to no avail. Gilman’s father left his family when Charlotte was still an infant whom her mother could barely cope to support due to their impoverished state of living. Eventually, Gilman realized thereafter how crucial the role is of motherhood especially in rearing children whose foundation in learning is largely influenced by normal household factors.

For Gilman, housework must be professionalized since, apparently, the bulk of household activities have kept women from yielding to public competence and opportunities. Socialist feminists like her claim that the gendered division of labor which has been observed to develop out of woman’s natural instincts to portray the role of motherhood and render domestic functions – as cooking, cleaning, and attending to the sick family members – has caused women to depend on men vastly for financial security.

Through one of her speeches in reference to her position in socialist (utopian) feminism, Gilman states “The first duty of a human being is to assume the right relationship to society – more briefly, to find your real job, and do it (goodreads).” On the other hand, radical feminists posit the assumption that the oppression of women serves as the most fundamental and widespread form of oppression or that women are the first oppressed group. As one of the radical feminists who fought for women’s welfare in the context of acquisition of civil rights and protection from all forms of abuse or brutality, E.

Willis expresses that “radical feminism began as a political movement to end male supremacy in all areas of social and economic life, and rejected the whole idea of opposing male and female natures and values as a sexist idea, a basic part of what we were fighting (Willis).” By their ‘radical’ label, feminists of Willis’ time, particularly at the height of advancing their cause in 1967 – 1975, acknowledged that their view of oppression among women may well embody other denominations of feminism or provide a cutting-edge model for the general substance of feminist principle.

Radical feminism projects itself to be the breeding level of a more diverse feminist school of thought since its core conviction that women’s oppression brings about the most suffering and utter grievance cuts across boundaries of race, culture, and economic class (Kinds of Feminism). The principal basis of this solid stand points to the severe distaste toward the patriarchal system of power whereby the complex of societal relationships is generated through the organized manipulation of supreme males which, in the typical course of events, often bears infliction upon the female counterparts.

On the grounds of the main focus of each feminist theorist, the socialist feminist point-of-view can be readily distinguished from that of the radical feminist in that, socialist feminism is bound to address the struggle of women to achieve fair economic status even while working in the domicile confines. However, radical feminism proposes that, instead of the role women play, sexism appears as the ultimate device utilized by men to oppress women. It turns out that women’s suppression to perform duties in the public in order to earn a decent living independent of men as a result of attachment to household chores is the major concern from which Gilman and the rest of her fellow socialist feminists had long desired to liberate women.

Rather than oppression by male dominance in the state of social affairs which inevitably make women feel inferior or worthless, suppression of abilities beyond private boundaries matters with great significance to the advocates of socialist feminism. Willis and colleague activists, nevertheless, maintain that despite circumstances which enable women to exercise skilled workmanship, private or public, the privilege of men in being accepted as naturally supreme disturbs the supposedly balanced judgment of potentials between the two sexes in the social dimension.

Consequently, whether women are suppressed or oppressed, socialist and radical feminists converge in agreement to curtail men’s dominating character so as to stop acts of prejudice and discrimination against women in a way that counters either suppression or oppression of the latter within a society. Works Cited “Charlotte Perkins Gilman > Quotes.” Goodreads. Retrieved from http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/29527.Charlotte_Perkins_Gilman on January 10, 2013. Willis, Ellen. “Radical Feminism and Feminist Radicalism.” JSTOR. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.

2307/466537?uid=3738824&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21101528129163 on January 10, 2013. “Kinds of Feminism.” Retrieved from http://www.uah.edu/woolf/feminism_kinds.htm on January 10, 2013.